Published On: 01.12.24 | 

By: Alabama News Center Staff

University of South Alabama looks back on banner 60th anniversary year

University of South Alabama jaguar pride

University of South Alabama students and alumni showed off their Jaguar pride all through 2023 during the school's yearlong 60th anniversary celebration. (contributed)

The University of South Alabama (USA) spent much of 2023 reflecting on the 60 years since the founding of what has become known as the “Flagship of the Gulf Coast.”

Celebrations of Jaguar pride during the university’s diamond anniversary included the announcement of a $20 million gift for a new performing arts center, a weeklong series of homecoming activities, and programs and campus events throughout the year. A redesigned South Magazine, published in collaboration with the USA National Alumni Association, featured a timeline and vintage photos looking back at each of South’s six decades.

Here are some highlights from USA’s 60th anniversary year, including other newsworthy announcements that took place related to the university during 2023:

Providence Hospital joins USA Health System

In October, Providence Hospital’s 349-bed facility in Mobile, along with eight clinics and six family practices, joined USA Health. Providence became the third inpatient care facility in the USA Health system, the others being USA Health University Hospital and USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital. More than 1,700 Providence physicians, associates and providers are now part of USA Health.

Students walking across campus

First-year enrollment at USA posts significant increase

First-year enrollment increased by 19% in 2023, making the Class of 2027 one of the largest in University history. First-year student retention reached 76%, the second highest rate ever. Transfer student enrollment was up 10%; international enrollment rose 5%; and the College of Nursing achieved its largest undergraduate enrollment.

Whiddon College of Medicine groundbreaking

South breaks ground on new College of Medicine building

In December, USA broke ground along University Boulevard for a new $200 million Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine building. The new, 250,000-square-foot home for the medical school will allow the university to expand class size from 80 to more than 100 students and help address a national shortage in healthcare providers. The building is scheduled to be completed in 2026. The Alabama Power Foundation is among the many supporters of the project.

South Alabama accepting the 2023 Vic Bubas Cup

Jaguars win Bubas Cup for a record 16th time

The 2022-23 South Alabama Jaguars won the Vic Bubas Cup, the annual all-sports champion trophy of the Sun Belt Conference, for a record 16th time. The university recorded top-four finishes in football, softball, golf and men’s cross country, along with men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor track and field. It was the sixth time in nine years USA claimed the cup.

“We are proud to recognize South Alabama for its broad-based athletics excellence in 2022-23,” Sun Belt Conference Commissioner Keith Gill said. “This award is a testament to the dedication of South Alabama’s student-athletes, coaches, athletic department staff and university leadership.”

Image of land donated to the University of South Alabama

Quarter-mile of bayfront property donated to South

The University of South Alabama Foundation donated to the University more than a quarter-mile of bayfront property on Dauphin Island for marine education and research. The gift includes sandy beachfront, marsh and submerged land on Aloe Bay, 35 miles south of the main campus. The foundation had owned it for more than 30 years.

“It’s a perfect living laboratory,” said USA Foundation Managing Director Maxey J. Roberts.

Nursing students in a lab

USA colleges of medicine, nursing celebrate 50th anniversaries

The Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine and the USA College of Nursing both celebrated 50 years of excellence in 2023. The Whiddon College of Medicine has produced thousands of healthcare providers who now serve across the state and beyond. More than 500 physicians in Mobile and Baldwin counties alone were educated at South. The college supports the region’s only academic health system. From the College of Nursing, more than 21,000 nursing professionals have graduated and gone on to provide quality healthcare around the world.

Jaguar Marching Band

South plans $10 Million home for Jaguar Marching Band

The Jaguar Marching Band, which provides a spirited soundtrack for the university, will be getting a 24,000-square-foot home on the south side of Hancock Whitney Stadium. Plans for the $10 million facility include a lighted outdoor practice field, a rehearsal studio, dressing rooms, offices, a music library and storage space for uniforms and instruments.

“This will be a game changer for the Jaguar Marching Band,” said Will Petersen, USA director of bands. “The ability to have a dedicated facility where we can rehearse outside or inside is a dream come true.”

2023 USA snapshots

Here are some other noteworthy achievements and announcements from USA in 2023:

This story originally appeared on the University of South Alabama website.